October Birthstones: Opal and Tourmaline
Were you born in October? Good news, because you get not one, but two birthstones: the traditional opal and the newer tourmaline. Both stones are steeped in mythology and have been cherished since the Middle Ages.
The original birthstone for October is opal — a name said to have originated in India, where the very first opals were found before being transported to the Western world. The original name for opal in Sanskrit was upala, which translates to “precious stone,” which later became “opalus” in ancient Rome, which sounds just fabulous to us.
Opals are thought to form when rainwater soaks into the rock and remains there until the silica dries out. The gemstone’s changing colors in rainbow hues—known as “play of color”—are the result of light bouncing off the stone’s large number of silica spheres of different sizes and reflecting in different colors. It’s this stunning spectrum of colors that makes opal such an eye-catching gem.
Why are there 2 birthstones for October?
It's confusing, we know. Let me explain...
Many months of the year have acquired two birthstones due to stones that have fallen out of fashion over time. In some cases, stones have become so rare and expensive that their price is simply too high for buyers, hence the appearance of cheaper varieties. Opal is the traditional birthstone for October, but tourmaline is considered the second and more modern one.
So what do we know about October’s second birthstone? Well, tourmaline is a gemstone that comes from the Sinhala word “touramalli,” which translates to “stone of mixed colors.”
According to Egyptian legend, tourmaline passed over a rainbow during its formation, which explains why it dazzles so brilliantly with all seven colors of the rainbow. The October birthstone is mined in more colors than any other stone, with virtually every color represented.
Tourmaline is most commonly found in Brazil, but it is also mined in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya, Madagascar, and Mozambique, while California and Maine are also noted producers of this gemstone.
What is the color of the stones of the month of October?
Opal and tourmaline offer a veritable kaleidoscopic rainbow variety of intensely different pigments and reflections, which have been compared to galaxies, rainbows and fireworks, so they certainly make aesthetically pleasing jewelry if you love all things bright and beautiful.
What does the October birthstone mean?
The ancient Greeks believed that these gemstones gave their owners the gift of prophecy and protection from disease. Later, Europeans attributed opals as a symbol of purity, hope, and truth. In fact, in 2008, NASA discovered opal deposits on the planet Mars, which is quite significant. Opal is also the stone given to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary, so if you are looking for a sentimental gift for a partner to mark your nuptials, you can't go wrong with opal.
Tourmaline, on the other hand, is said to inspire artistic expression thanks to its stunning array of vibrant hues (including pink, purple, orange, green, blue, and even black). Since the Middle Ages, tourmaline’s different hues have been thought to inspire different attributes and properties. For example, watermelon tones are linked to love and romance, while green and black tourmalines are a source of compassion and self-confidence. The possibilities (and outfit choices) are endless with such a versatile gemstone.
Now that you know a little more about the history of these two October birthstones and where they can be found, you might want to add them to your collection! Both of these birthstones come in a spectacular array of colors that are sure to please you or your October-born loved one.
Click here to discover our jewelry with birthstones.
